The two best stories in college football this year come from two teams that faced off last weekend. The Rice Owls (7-5) started the season by losing their first four games. Dale Lloyd, a former defensive back for Rice, died the Monday after their fourth loss. The Owls tore up the rest of their schedule, winning 7 out of 8 games to finish the year. The seventh win locked up their first bowl bid since 1961, as they beat Southern Methodist 31-27. SMU (6-6), meanwhile, is still in the running to receive a bowl bid. The Mustangs have not been to a bowl since 1984. They have survived the death penalty handed to them by the NCAA in 1987, the harshest punishment in NCAA history. Loss of a season, scholarships, practices, and home games were all involved in the penalty. However, Coach Phil Bennett has led his team to a .500 season, and the future has never been brighter for the Mustangs.

In other action, Southern California has all but locked up a trip to the national title game. Their dominating win over rival Notre Dame put them at number two in the BCS standings, and a win over UCLA will send them to Glendale, Arizona. As for Notre Dame, their BCS hopes are still in question. The Irish's only two losses came to top five teams, but they don't have a signature win. Other teams such as LSU, Auburn, Louisville, and Virginia Tech have valid arguments as well.

I have to applaud Boise State for locking up a BCS bowl bid, most likely the Fiesta, after beating Nevada 38-7. Replacing Coach Dan Hawkins was a daunting task. However, Chris Peterson has done a great job keeping the Broncos motivated throughout the season. Boise State impressed WAC commissioner Karl Benson who attending last weekend's game. "This is the most dominant team in WAC history," he said afterwards. Boise State's win was a victory for another team as well. San Jose State will be bowling for the first time since 1990 due to the Boise State victory.

FINAL BOWL PROJECTIONS

DATE

BOWL

MATCHUP

Dec. 19

Poinsettia

TCU vs. Arizona

Dec. 21

Las Vegas

UCLA vs. BYU

Dec. 22

New Orleans

East Carolina vs. Troy

Dec. 23

New Mexico

New Mexico vs. San Jose State

Dec. 23

PapaJohns.com

Rice vs. USF

Dec. 23

Armed Forces

Utah vs. Tulsa

Dec. 24

Hawaii

Hawaii vs. Arizona State

Dec. 26

Motor City

Central Michigan vs. Middle Tennessee

Dec. 27

Emerald

Oregon vs. Clemson

Dec. 27

Independence

Oklahoma State vs. Alabama

Dec. 28

Holiday

Texas A&M vs. California

Dec. 28

Texas

Texas vs. Rutgers

Dec. 29

Champs Sports

Boston College vs. Purdue

Dec. 29

Music City

Kentucky vs. Florida State

Dec. 29

Sun

Oregon State vs. Missouri

Dec. 29

Insight

Minnesota vs. Kansas

Dec. 30

Alamo

Iowa vs. Kansas State

Dec. 30

Liberty

Houston vs. South Carolina

Dec. 30

Meineke Car Care

Maryland vs. Navy

Dec. 30

Chick-fil-A

Georgia vs. Virginia Tech

Dec. 31

MPC Computers

Nevada vs. Miami

Jan. 1

Gator

Wake Forest vs. West Virginia

Jan. 1

Cotton

Nebraska vs. Auburn

Jan. 1

Outback

Penn State vs. Tennessee

Jan. 1

Capital One

Arkansas vs. Wisconsin

Jan. 1

Rose [BCS]

Michigan vs. LSU

Jan. 1

Fiesta [BCS]

Boise State vs. Oklahoma

Jan. 2

Orange [BCS]

Louisville vs. Georgia Tech

Jan. 3

Sugar [BCS]

Florida vs. Notre Dame

Jan. 6

International

Western Michigan vs. Cincinnati

Jan. 7

GMAC

Southern Miss vs. Ohio

Jan. 8

*BCS TITLE*

Southern Cal vs Ohio State

WHO'S HOT

USC - Who can be hotter than a team that dominated its highly-ranked rival and has punched its ticket to Glendale? Sorry UCLA, I just do not see an upset this coming weekend. Did you watch Dwayne Jarrett catch three touchdown passes against Notre Dame? Good luck stopping him.

Oklahoma - After Texas A&M upset rival Texas, Oklahoma was given a simple and clear path to the Big 12 title game. OU squeaked by Oklahoma State to reach a highly-anticipated game against Nebraska. The winner should earn a Fiesta Bowl bid, giving mid-major Boise State a tough test.

Wake Forest - Wake showed that it was ready to put their Boston College loss behind them and prove to America that they belonged in the BCS. Wake Forest beat Maryland on the road to secure a spot in the ACC title game. Coach of the year? No doubt in my mind that Deacons head coach Jim Grobe deserves this honor. Hurry up and give it to him.

Michigan State - I applaud the hire of Mark Dantonio by the Michigan State Spartans. He leaves the head coaching gig at Cincinnati, where he recorded a seven win season this year. Dantonio was at Michigan State as an assistant, then left for Ohio State where he won a national championship. The last time an Ohio State assistant left to coach a Michigan school, it had great results (Bo Schembechler).

Troy - If Troy can beat Florida International this weekend, they will lock up an automatic bowl berth. Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:20 to give the Trojans a win over conference foe Middle Tennessee State, who may also find themselves in a bowl due to the lack of production from the Big Ten.

WHO'S NOT

West Virginia - WVU cost themselves a chance at BCS bowl when they were upset at home by South Florida. Pat White and Steve Slaton where held in check, while USF freshman quarterback Matt Grothe ripped the WVU defense to shreds. They can play spoiler when they host Rutgers to end the season.

Florida State - Firing Jeff Bowden failed to show any immediate impacts at Florida State. In a 21-14 loss to rival Florida, FSU's play calling was very questionable. Constant deep routes led to 3-and-outs and 3 interceptions by the Florida defense. Maybe Bobby Bowden is the real problem.

Georgia Tech - Calvin Johnson is the best wide receiver in college football. Nevertheless, until he gets a quarterback who can get him the ball constantly and accurately, he will never reach his full potential as a Yellow Jacket. This was very evident in GT's loss to rival Georgia. Need proof? Ball was 6 for 22 with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns.

Oregon - Maybe USC's dominating win over Oregon was not as impressive as it first seemed. Oregon has lost their last three games to end a season that started with promise thanks to four straight wins. Blame it on the uniforms.

UTEP - UTEP lost five out of its last six games to end the season, losing a chance to go bowling for the third time in a row. The Miners showed a lack of determination in the season finale, losing to lowly Memphis 38-19.